Anyone Still Making Reasobably Priced Lugged Frames?

Last time I looked (granted that was over 5 years years ago) there was a decent amount of frame makers that built semi-production lugged steel frames for somewhat "reasonable" prices (Kogswell, Heron, Cycles Gaansari, etc.). Looks like alot of them dried up and others have seriously bumped up there prices (which is understandable do to inflation, economy, brand value, etc.). So now I can only find two survivors in what I would call the "reasonable" sub-$1000 category: Velo-Orange and Soma. Anyone know of any others? Thanks.

Given the material properties of steel, is there any reason to get a "new" lugged frame?

Pride of ownership...something different...helping someone out in a tough economy (I know, buying an old bike also helps someone out). I already have a nice welded steel cross/light tourer (Bianchi Volpe), I already have an old project bike (1984 Panasonic Sport 1000). Variety is the spice of life.

Given the material properties of steel, is there any reason to get a "new" lugged frame?

I've owned multiple lugged vintage bikes, including a Schwinn Paramount and Trek 400 that were built from Reynolds 531. I also have a modern Soma built from Tange Prestige.

I would also like to have a modern lugged steel frame. I just can't stand putting modern 130mm rear hub in a set of 126mm wide drop-outs. I also dislike horizontal dropouts with modern wheels. Having a vintage frame restored with fresh paint and new polished lugs would increase the cost of a vintage bike by more than $400. The Soma Stanyan is a deal at $600 for the frame & fork.

to me, any skilled artisan that is charging you less than $2500 for a lugged steel frame/fork is subsidizing your ride. With my criteria, there are tons of reasonably priced steel lugged frames out there.

Unfortunately the two $1k models both have two top tubes on my size - it looks hokey and adds a good chunk of weight.

Originally Posted by unterhausen

to me, any skilled artisan that is charging you less than $2500 for a lugged steel frame/fork is subsidizing your ride. With my criteria, there are tons of reasonably priced steel lugged frames out there.

I've owned multiple lugged vintage bikes, including a Schwinn Paramount and Trek 400 that were built from Reynolds 531. I also have a modern Soma built from Tange Prestige.

I would also like to have a modern lugged steel frame. I just can't stand putting modern 130mm rear hub in a set of 126mm wide drop-outs. I also dislike horizontal dropouts with modern wheels. Having a vintage frame restored with fresh paint and new polished lugs would increase the cost of a vintage bike by more than $400. The Soma Stanyan is a deal at $600 for the frame & fork.

Many vintage frames with vertical dropouts. As for the cost of restoration vs buying a new bicycle, please recall that the OP asked about "frames." Not complete bikes.

There are some, or at least there is one, modern lugged steel bike from Raleigh with Dura-Ace components that is very sweet. It is expensive, but I'm guessing it would cost more to build up a vintage frame to a similar standard.

"The automobile became a hypnosis, the opium of the American people..." -James Agee, Fortune, September 1934

Jeff Lyon in Grants Pass, OR, will put you on the road with a lugged frame to your specs for @$1500. This is bargain-basement, especially for a builder with Jeff's 30+ years of experience. He knows the touring/rando territory extremely well. If you want a racier frame for a similar price, look up Reno, Nevada's Rolland Della Santa. The less publicized US builders who aren't trying to be marketing guys or rock stars build some excellent, underpriced framesets as their long years of experience make them very efficient builders.
Buy a frame from Lyon before he realizes he's about $500 underpriced for what he's producing.

Buy a frame from Lyon before he realizes he's about $500 underpriced for what he's producing.

Just curious if you or anyone you know has purchased a frame from Jeff in the last few years. From what I've heard and seen (one anecdote comes from a person that was a friend and business associate, as well as a customer, of Jeff), once he gets your money, you won't hear from him again until UPS shows up with your frame, usually much later that promised, and probably a bit different than what you actually ordered.

+1 on the Soma. A friend of mine absolutely loves his. Also, as said before, you can always find an old frame and refinish, maybe modify it, and end up with a very nice bike. Been there, done that.